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International Negotiations

Tracker data: MPs and the public support high ambition on climate

23 November 2023

Both MPs and the public believe the UK should be one of the most ambitious countries in the world when it comes to addressing climate change, regardless of what other countries are doing, with slightly higher support among MPs. Only a minority say that the UK should not take steps to address climate change until other bigger countries like the US and China agree to do the same.

Questions like this help to position the way in which the ‘wind is blowing’ on the UK’s international climate efforts – its important that large numbers of people are not disagreeing with the principle of high ambition. At the same time, endorsements like this can’t readily be translated into specific commitments at international negotiations, where the geopolitics of negotiating blocs, with very different priorities and perspectives, takes centre stage.

Reference article:

  • Source: Climate Outreach
  • Date: 20th October 2020

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Wider Context 21st November 2024

UK “biggest climber” on climate action as COP29 heads to a close

A report from the New Climate Institute finds that the UK has jumped the highest in its league of countries’ performance on tackling climate change, finishing behind only Denmark and the Netherlands.

While no country has performed well enough to qualify as a ‘very high’ performance, the UK’s ranking has been boosted by the new Labour government’s commitments to reduce emissions and roll out renewable energy across the country.

Despite this, the report says “the country is not on track to reach this target despite a significant reduction in 2023. While the coal exit was set for 2024, oil and gas use also need to be phased out…credible plans now only cover
one-third of the emissions reductions required to achieve the 2030 target“.

Ultimately, whether the UK can remain in its high position depends on whether it can follow through on ambition with effective implementation.

  • Source: Climate Change Performance Index
  • Date: 20th November 2024
Opinion Insight 7th November 2024

Britons want the UK to stay committed to climate despite Trump

A new study of over 14000 Britons looks at how the British public see the UK’s role on climate action on the global stage. The research finds that the public wants:

  • Stronger UK leadership on climate change, with climate change as a top foreign policy issue, and the UK to be one of the countries leading the way.
  • The public don’t see climate as distinct from the nation’s overall security, and would like to see a ‘defence +’ approach to foreign policy which is broader than only military defense, but which also takes into account climate, energy, food and water security.

In light of the results of the 2024 US election, most Britons want to see the UK either maintain (40%) or strengthen (26%) its commitments to climate change, even if President-elect Trump withdraws the USA from the Paris Agreement again.

Opinion Insight 23rd October 2024

New study addresses global awareness of climate justice

A new survey has found that two-thirds of people around the globe have not heard of the term ‘climate justice’, and less than 1-in-5 feel they have a good understanding of what it means. But despite a lack of awareness about the terminology, a clear majority (70%) felt that climate change is driven by capitalism and colonisation. The study by Charles Ogunbode and colleagues builds on previous work addressing engagement with climate justice, by suggesting that people are aware of the key issues underpinning climate justice, even if they don’t consciously link these with the concept. People’s beliefs about climate justice-related issues were also found to positively influence their climate actions and support for policies – suggesting there is much value in building greater awareness.

  • Source: Nature
  • Author: Charles A. Ogunbode et al.
  • Date: 18th October 2024
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